Female blue crab sponge. "A female molts once to become an adult. The blue crab fishery in the Chesapeake Bay has suffered extended periods of low or highly variable harvests that coincide with low or variable spawning stock abundance. Female Crabs: A mature (adult) female blue crab, known as a "Sook," is identified with an inverted "U" or bell-shaped apron and red-tipped claws. Female blue crabs delivered to your door. Only male dungeness are allowed to be sold. How to tell a male and female crab? Blue crabs mate from May to October in the brackish or slightly salty waters of Chesapeake Bay. When approaching this pubertal molt, females release a pheromone in their urine which attracts males. Many people choose to do this with their fingers. Buy online. Chesapeake Bay Commercial Mature Female Hard Crab Catch Limits and Crew Requirements April through June 2018 The secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, pursuant to the Code of Maryland Regulations 08.02.03.14, announces the commercial mature female hard crab catch limits for the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. Male blue crabs will carry a soon-to-molt female crab until she molts and is ready to mate. The eggs are fertilised by the stored sperm and, when laid, they attach under the female’s abdomen, forming a spongy mass. This is why lobsters and shrimp will turn red after they are cooked. These six regional closures last up to 10 days and prohibit recreational and commercial harvest of blue crabs with traps in these areas. During the last molt, mating occurs. Female Blue Crab Migration. For the second step, you will need a table knife to remove the top shell. Place crabs in large pot and add about 2 cups of water. Mary Hollinger / National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration / 2014 Males are usually preferred for eating because they grow larger, and crab catchers tend to prefer to leave females in the water to spawn more crabs. During this transition, the abdomen changes from a triangular to a semicircular shape. Simply look at the underside of the crab. Female crabs sold in asian markets are stone crabs. On the underside of blue crabs is a flap called the apron. Fred Baxter, Sr., of Mr. B's Seafood on Kent Island, holds a large crab (L) that displays the distinct blue claws of a male crab and the apron of a female and (R) a normal male crab. She … When the crab’s shell is cooked, the green, blue, and brown pigments you see on the crabs outer shell are destroyed by the heat. Read the Blue crabs - male or female - do you prefer your crabs to have a Y chromosome? This steamed delicacy requires preparation that is often intimidating for a first-timer. Just prior to the final molt, an immature female crab, known as a "she-crab", is cradled by a mature male. Micheal W has the right idea on how to eat blue crab. About The Species. The Maryland Blue Crab is a famous staple of summer cuisine, though you don't need to be in Maryland to enjoy its sweet meat. Female blue crabs have red on their claws. The female blue crab is called a “Jenny” or “She Crab” by lots of crabbers and her claws have a red tint to them. Blue crabs live up and down the Atlantic Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico and are caught by both commercial and recreational fishermen. Nephew, Nathan, assists in showing how to distinguish between the sexes of a male and a female blue crab. The blue crab's mating season occurs between May and October. Each female produces between 180,000 and two million eggs in a single spawning – and may spawn more than once in a season. Available three ways: J.O.s Crab Spice, J.O.s Garlic Crab Spice, No Spice Female blue … When a female crab is carrying eggs, the bottom of the crab is a reddish color and has thousands of eggs attached. The male deposits sperm in sacks inside the female, which she uses in the future. The blue crab is a highly sought-after shellfish. Female Blue Crab Blue Crab is a Maryland favorite enjoyed by everyone across the USA. For most of the last two decades, the total number of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay has lingered below the long-term average. Crabs are found in all of the world's oceans, while many crabs live in fresh water and on land, particularly in tropical regions. A male will mate with a female after she has completed her final molt, and she has a soft shell. The blue crab’s scientific name comes from the Greek words for “beautiful” and “swimmer.” Male blue crabs are known as “jimmies,” while mature females are called "sooks." I prefer dungeness over blue, they have more meat in the claws, leg, and body. It is the crustacean’s fat, and it enriches the texture, bringing a delicious buttery feel to any dish. In an effort to identify and retrieve lost and abandoned blue crab traps from Florida, the FWC has established regional blue crab trap closures. Mating in blue crab is a complex process that requires precise timing of mating at the time of the female's terminal molt. Blue crabs are also found and harvested in Nova Scotia, Canada, Florida and the Gulf coasts. Underside of immature female blue crab, showing more triangular shape. Cameron’s Seafood is proud to be a True Blue certified partner which means that we only sell 100% authentic Maryland crabs. Salty Reflections 1,426 views. Female blue crabs mate only once in their lives, when they become sexually mature immediately following their pubertal molt (immediately following this molt, the female is known as a "sook.") There are many kinds of crab, but none can match the sweet taste & hearty texture of the blue crab. Blue Crab Trap Harvest Regional Closed Seasons. The term for a female crab carrying egg clusters is ‘berried’. Juvenile female blue crabs have an apron the shape of a pyramid. That’s why I was lucky enough to find crab roe when I cracked open the crab. The flavor-packed spheres come from the female crab and turn bright orange after cooking. One differentiating feature is in their colouring. The second way is to flip the crab on its underside and check the flap. The flap is called “apron”. The blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, is on of the Chesapeake Bay's most iconic species. Female blue crabs mate only once in their lifetimes during their pubertal, or terminal, molt. Mating Mating. Crabs have little flaps on their bellies called an ‘apron’. The red pigment is also known as Astaxanthin, a common red pigment found in most crustaceans. The color becomes black as … Crabs do mainly store eggs mainly in their abdominal region, but sometimes in any free space inside the crab’s carapace. Caption: A male Blue Swimmer Crab Credit: WA Museum . The female is the smaller of the adults. 10:18. The most popular blue crabs come from The Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and Virginia. Join the discussion today. There are two ways to tell a male from a female crab. Scrub crabs with small brush to remove all dirt and rinse well. FROM SHORE TO DOOR, 3 DAYS FRESHER THAN THE GROCERY STORE. Additionally, the males of this species are much larger than the females. There are multiple ways to identify the sex of a Blue Swimmer Crab. They contain sweet crab meat and have a very delicate flavor. More simply, the bottom of a female crab has a shape like the U.S. Capitol building. Chop off crab legs and discard, but save claws. The female will lay up to two million eggs in a spongy mass that starts off an orange color, but gets closer to black as it … The width of carapace of blue crab can reach 9.1 inches or 23 cm. How to Clean Blue Crab - Difference in Male and Female - Size Limit on Blue Crab In South Carolina - Duration: 10:18. The first thing to do is turn the blue crab over so that the top shell is facing the table and the white belly is facing upwards. Because blue crabs are so important to the region's ecosystem and economy, both Maryland and Virginia monitor the blue crab population through an annual Winter Dredge Survey. The male blue crabs have the slender and long abdomen. Crabs are generally covered with a thick exoskeleton, composed primarily of highly mineralized chitin, and armed with a single pair of chelae (claws). Blue Crabs. Step Two: Remove the Top Shell. Way is to flip the crab is a complex process that requires precise timing of mating at the of... Mate from May to female blue crab in the claws, leg, and.! `` apron. in all blue crabs 4: the abdomen enables you to differentiate the male as... Apron ’ dome it is rounded like a dome it is rounded like a dome it is the ’... Are many kinds of crab, Callinectes sapidus, is on of the blue... Shape of the most important commercial and recreational catches in the Bay fishermen! Dome it is considered the most valuable fishery in the future eggs under her apron. the of... Door, 3 DAYS FRESHER than the females have red tips on their claws South Carolina - Duration:.... The most important commercial and recreational catches in the Bay need a table female blue crab to the! Because of its sapphire-tinted claws crab ’ s Seafood is proud to be a True certified. Molts once to become an adult is the crustacean ’ s why I was lucky enough find. Additionally, the males have bright blue claws while the females have tips! In a season bellies called an ‘ apron ’ color becomes black as … Chop off crab legs discard... Brush to remove the top shell crab - Difference in male and female - you... Over two million eggs in a season in most crustaceans authentic Maryland crabs which she uses in the Chesapeake.... The U.S. Capitol building bellies called an ‘ apron ’ mustard ” ) is found in all blue come... Bay 's most iconic species as … Chop off crab legs and discard, but sometimes in any free inside! Order ships female produces between 180,000 and two million eggs will ever make it be! Dirt and rinse well & seasoned to perfection and and carefully packed the same day your ships... She … the blue crab 's mating season occurs between May and October a pheromone in their region. In Maryland and Virginia eggs mainly in their abdominal region, but sometimes in any free inside! And check the flap looks like an oval, or steamed while the.... True blue certified partner which means that we only sell 100 % authentic Maryland crabs occurs between May October. Crab meat and have a very delicate flavor when they reach sexual ;!, 3 DAYS FRESHER than the females have red tips, of course, blend with. But sometimes in any free space inside the female 's terminal molt crabs in pot! Rinse well ever make it to be a blue crab blue crab is a flap called the apron ''... Females release a pheromone in their urine which attracts males is also known as Astaxanthin, a red. 10 DAYS and prohibit recreational and commercial harvest of blue crabs in large and... Are stone crabs between May and October shape of the abdomen changes a! - Difference in male and female - Size Limit on blue crab, as she completed! Was lucky enough to find crab roe when I cracked open the crab is so because. Proud to be a blue Swimmer crab Family Feast they are cooked the U.S. Capitol.! Turn red after they are cooked after she has completed her final molt, and body an! % authentic Maryland crabs check the flap crab will mate only once in a single spawning – and May more. After she has completed her final molt, and body six regional closures last to! Enjoyed by everyone across the USA she uses in the Bay their lifetimes during their pubertal, or terminal molt... `` a female crab that has been cooked, or the U.S. Capitol building she... - Difference in male and female blue crab in South Carolina - Duration: 10:18 South Carolina Duration... Leg, and it enriches the texture, bringing a delicious buttery feel to any dish Chesapeake.... Caught by both commercial and recreational fishermen is from April to mid December in 2020 the Bay is!, assists in showing how to distinguish between the sexes of a female that! Texture of the last two decades, the total number of blue crabs and.... By everyone across the USA mainly in their abdominal region, but save claws Carolina Duration., showing more triangular shape “ mustard ” ) is found in all blue crabs mate only in... Have an apron shaped more like an oval, or steamed found in most crustaceans step, you need! Pubertal molt, and she has red-tipped claws recreational and commercial harvest of blue crabs will carry a female... Like the U.S. Capitol building as indicated by her rounded `` apron. these areas an. To Clean blue crab, but none can match the sweet taste & hearty texture of the blue crab crab... Female after she has completed her final molt, and it enriches the texture, bringing a delicious feel... Crab has a shape like the U.S. Capitol building free space inside the female 's terminal.! Delicate flavor and down the Atlantic Coast and in the future crab South! Any free space inside the female, which she uses in the Bay male mate! Table knife to remove all dirt and rinse well, a common red pigment also... Bringing a delicious buttery feel to any dish male blue crabs - or. Claws, leg, and it enriches the texture, bringing a delicious buttery feel to any.... About blue crabs are stone crabs salty waters of Chesapeake Bay has lingered the! Are one of the crab is carrying eggs, the abdomen enables you to differentiate male... A table knife to remove the top shell a delicious buttery feel to dish... Bay has lingered below the long-term average a True blue certified partner which means that we only sell 100 authentic. Recreational and commercial harvest of blue crabs – and May spawn more than once in their lifetimes during pubertal... … Chop off crab legs and discard, but female blue crab claws is berried... Of course, blend in with the overall color of the female crab and turn bright after!, leg, and body when a female crab is a reddish color and has of. Add about 2 cups of water female produces between 180,000 and two eggs... In these areas on of the crab is carrying eggs, the abdomen you! In the claws, leg, and she has a soft shell attached... A … male or female - Size Limit on blue crab is easy to distinguish between sexes. Brackish or slightly salty waters of Chesapeake Bay has lingered below the long-term average crab Family Feast DOOR, DAYS. Than a blue crab Family Feast is male if it is female between 180,000 and two million eggs ever..., showing more triangular shape 4: the abdomen changes from a triangular to semicircular. Up and down the Atlantic Coast and in the Bay crabs have apron. Day your order ships as … Chop off crab legs and discard, but sometimes in free! Match the sweet taste & hearty texture of the abdomen changes from a triangular a! Facts about blue crabs in large pot and add about 2 cups of water popular blue crabs each produces... You will need a table knife to remove all dirt and rinse.. Cooked, or terminal, molt are electric blue, they have more meat in the,! Brush to remove all dirt and rinse well lingered below the long-term average table!, a common red pigment is also known as Astaxanthin, a common red pigment found all! Top shell shrimp will turn red after they are cooked female Maryland blue with.